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When to Plant Broccoli in Lamar County, TX

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cool-season crop that produces large central heads followed by smaller side shoots. It is one of the most popular garden vegetables.

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 95 feet, Lamar County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Broccoli will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Lamar County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Lamar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,471 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Lamar County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 28

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

245 days

Growing Tips for Lamar County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide consistent moisture to prevent hollow stems. Harvest heads before yellow flowers appear.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Broccoli Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Allow plants to flower 2nd year; collect dry pods.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas. Biennial โ€” must overwinter roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli in Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lamar County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lamar County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.